Commissioner Thomas was recognized by the Colorado Senate for the important work done by the commissioners to persuade Colorado’s Congressional Delegation to provide $65 million in federal funding for widening the I-25 Gap Project from Castle Rock to Monument.
Board of Douglas County Commissioners Report to the Community on School Safety
The Douglas County Commissioners announce the County's School Safety and Mental Health for Students Funding Decisions. This includes the Youth Community Response team--a first-in-the-nation team specifically dedicated to children in school. This team includes a mental health clinician, a specially trained DCSO Deputy, and a case manager. It is designed to complement the efforts of schools to address mental health and suicide prevention.
Commissioner Thomas continues to serve on the Steering Committee for this cutting-edge program, and anticipates next steps to include the development of a local network of providers which will bring needed care even closer to county residents in need.
Board of Douglas County Commissioners Special Work Session 7-16-19
In response to the STEM School shooting the Douglas County Commissioners approved a resolution appropriating $13.3 million for school security and mental health services for students in Douglas County.
At this special work session, the Commissioners heard funding recommendations and status reports regarding plans for the $13.3 million. Presentations to the Board of County Commissioners were made regarding:
New School Resource Officers (SROs): Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and Douglas County schools
Status of the new Youth Community Response Team (CRT): Douglas County Mental Health Initiative staff, and Sheriff’s Office
Supportive Mental Health for Students Funding Committee Recommendations: Committee Chair
Physical School Safety & Protection Funding Committee Recommendations: Committee Chair
Douglas County Commissioners Special Work Session on School Safety
In the aftermath of the STEM School shooting, the Douglas County Commissioners hosted this special work session to hear from the community and work with the Douglas County School District to identify how best to work together to make our schools safer.
Commissioner Thomas speaks from 02:43 to 07:22 of this video, introducing the County Commissioners' plan to provide $10 million to the Douglas County School District to fund school safety measures.
Douglas County Community Response Team
Commissioner Thomas was instrumental in the creation of Community Response Teams that pair a mental health professional with a specially trained law enforcement officer and are now available to support individuals suffering a mental health crisis.
Individuals in need of care are treated in place or transported to a facility, depending on their level of need. Despite dozens of deployments, to date CRTs have not taken a single subject to a jail or a hospital emergency room. The quality of life has been improved for not only the person in need of care, but their entire support team has found relief.
There are currently 9 Community Response Teams in place in Douglas County, in addition to the newly-created Youth Community Response team--a first-in-the-nation team specifically dedicated to children in school.
Commissioner Thomas continues to serve on the Steering Committee for this cutting-edge program, and anticipates next steps to include the development of a local network of providers which will bring needed care even closer to county residents in need.
Douglas County Traffic Incident Management Training Site
The Douglas County Commissioners were instrumental in the birth of a new Traffic Incident Management training facility, in support of first responders who willingly put themselves in harm’s way to protect and serve others.
Lora's Story
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